EXOone Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

Description

Erysipelothrix rhusopathiae is ubiquitous in the environment and has been reported as both saprophyte and etiological cause of disease in a wide range of animals including fish, birds, mammals and human.
Moreover, E. rhusiopathiae is recognized as the etiological agent of swine erysipelas, a disease of significant economic consequence. Four main disease syndromes are reported in porcine infections: acute septicemia, subcutaneous disease (diamond skin), endocarditis and arthritis. Transmission might be mediated by the intake of contaminated food and water or the direct contact between ill animals. Subclinical infected swine should not be neglected due to their potential shedding of the bacteria through their feces, saliva and nasal mucus.
The identification of this bacterium by classical methods might be difficult due to its potential for multiple cellular morphologies and its variable Gram stain results. Therefore the use of an assay for molecular detection improves the sensitivity and specificity of the analysis.